The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-06-12
THE KHEDIvE's SUPERSTITION.

In every book about the East there
ought, of course, to be some mention
of occult science, and Mr.. Butler
brings his contribution to the gen.
eral store of those fascinating stories
which most people affect to disbe-
lieve, yet hear with the utmost avid
ity. This story, too, has the special
merit of being vouched for by the
Khediye. Stories of Oriental magic
have always their own fascination.
One is half inclined to credit wise
men of the East with possessing a
tradition of occult science long lost
among the restless changes of the
West. Such a story now came under
my notice. The Khedive sent for
me one evening, and said:
II have something curious to tell
you There is Turk here in Cairo
who wears a ring which he pretends
is gifted with magic virtues. | have
seen him and the ring-it is a plain
hoop OF gold set with a red stone,
which is said to have come from
Mecca. The Turk also showed me
plate of silver engraved with verses
from the Koran. He explained that
he could not work the charm him
self, but required a child under ten
years of age. The child takes the
ring, the silver plate is put on his
head, and in a little while the color
of the stone is changed to white.
Thereupon the child looks into the
stone, and sees in it visions, and can
answer any questions"
The Khedive went went on to say,
that, being quite incredulous, he
asked for permission to take the ring
home and try it in private. The
owner consented. So the Khedive
took the ring to Ismailia palace,
where there happened to be little
girl eight years old, belonging to the
nurse-an ignorant child, unable to
read or write. When the plate of
silver was laid on her head and the
ring given into her hand, almost i'm
mediately she cried out, "The stone
has turned to white" The Khedive
then asked questions about persons
whom the child had not seen, and
received correct descriptions. An
other person present asked:
ow many children have II"
1.-Two sons and daughter"
That is right. What is the elder
son like?"
He wears coat with a row of
buttons down the front, and striped
trousers, and has sabre"
What is the second son like?"
He has a coat with two rows of
buttons in front, little gold cushions
on his shoulders and an anchor en-
broidered on his cuffs"
The ole was in the Turkish army,
the other in the Turkish navy, and
both were absolutely unknown to the
child. Conclusion was impossible;
for even a wizard would find it hard
to penetrate into the ladies' apart
ments of the Khedive's palace. More
over the questions were too rapid
and too varied to admit OF shutting
or guessing answers. The Khedive s
conclusion was: Z" | cannot believe
it, and yet | cannot understand it. "
After some talk about English
mesmerists and clairvoyants, the
Khedive related that once, before he
came to the throne, he consulted a
soothsayer in company with the Min
lister of War.
What is the news for Egypt" he
asked.
The soothsayer demanded two
minutes delay, and then replied" War
with Abyssinia."
will the Egyptian army conquer2"
Give me six minutes" replied
the sorcerer.
At the end of that time his face
became very troubled, his voice falt-
cred, and his whole body shook as he
answered, 1.-THE Egyptians will be de-
feated and their army destroyed; only
a small remnant shall be left" The
Prince laughed at the prophecy aud
forgot it; but two months later the
same Minister of War showed him
dispatch from Upper Egypt, stating
that the army had been utterly routed
and four battalions out Of six ami
bilated. After showing the dispatch
the Minister remarked, DO you re-
member our friend the sorcerer?"
and the Prince recollected. New as
khedive he regards the thing as a
curious coincidenca